The World, the Universe and Us
New Scientist
From the evolution of intelligent life, to the mysteries of consciousness; from the threat of the climate crisis to the search for dark matter, The world, the universe and us is your essential weekly dose of science and wonder in an uncertain world. Hosted by journalists Dr Rowan Hooper and Dr Penny Sarchet and joined each week by expert scientists in the field, the show draws on New Scientist’s unparalleled depth of reporting to put the stories that matter into context. Feed your curiosity with the podcast that will restore your sense of optimism and nourish your brain.For more visit newscientist.com/podcasts
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 30, 2024 • 29min
CultureLab: Earth’s Last Great Wild Areas – Simon Reeve on BBC series ‘Wilderness’
Simon Reeve, presenter of BBC series 'Wilderness', talks about Earth's last great wild areas, including the Congo rainforest and Patagonia. He discusses indigenous communities, sustainability, interacting with nature in urban areas, and the role of travel in protecting wild areas.
4 snips
Jan 26, 2024 • 26min
Weekly: Why AI won’t take your job just yet; how sound helps fungi grow faster; chickpeas grown in moon dust for first time
The podcast discusses the limitations of AI in taking over human tasks, the surprising effect of sound on fungus growth, the consequences of abortion restrictions in the US, and the successful growth of chickpeas in moon dust.
Jan 23, 2024 • 19min
Escape Pod: #3 Music: the jazz swing of birdsong and the sonification of the orbits of planets
Delve into the intriguing world of animals making music, including the musical behavior of gorillas. Explore the similarities between bird song and human harmonies. Discover how NASA translates space data into sound. Learn about the sonification of physical processes and the mathematical harmony of notes. Explore the perception of harmonies in music and the interaction of ratios.
6 snips
Jan 19, 2024 • 26min
Weekly: Cloned rhesus monkey lives to adulthood for first time; fermented foods carry antibiotic resistant bugs; an impossible cosmic object
Cloned rhesus monkey ReTro lives to adulthood, but the method using fetal cells has limitations. Fermented foods contain antibiotic resistant bacteria, posing health risks. A mysterious object in space could be the smallest black hole or a larger neutron star. A thermodynamic computer shows promise. Tardigrades' survival mechanisms offer insights into aging and space travel.
Jan 16, 2024 • 25min
CultureLab: Breaking space records, human bowling and a trip to the Moon with astronaut Christina Koch
Christina Koch, NASA astronaut who took part in the first ever all-female spacewalks and holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, discusses her experiences in space and the challenges of readjusting to life on Earth. They also explore the long-term effects of space travel and the importance of diversity in astronaut teams. Additionally, they talk about the fun activity of human bowling in microgravity and the intense experience of spacewalking.
Jan 12, 2024 • 25min
Weekly: Brain regions shrink during pregnancy; oldest and largest Amazon cities discovered; corals that change their sex like clockwork
Pregnancy causes significant changes in the brain, an ancient city has been discovered in the Amazon, the mystery of black holes and the paradox of disappearing matter, hammer corals change their sex like clockwork
Jan 9, 2024 • 20min
Escape Pod: #2 Alliances in matters biological, mathematical and atomical
Renowned Hungarian mathematician guest_name_1 discusses alliances in biology, mathematics, and atomic sciences. Topics include the symbiotic relationships of lichen, the versatility of carbon, the discovery of graphene, and the life and work of mathematician Paul Erdős.
Jan 5, 2024 • 33min
Weekly: What’s next for science in 2024? A year of moons; weight-loss drugs; and a massive new supercomputer for Europe
Discover what 2024 has in store for science! From upcoming space missions to the development of an exascale supercomputer in Europe. Also, learn why global warming is expected to make 2024 even hotter and how weight loss drugs are advancing. Plus, explore the possibility of using artificial uteruses for premature babies and get excited about upcoming celestial events for stargazing.
Jan 2, 2024 • 24min
Escape Pod: #1 Understanding the self-awareness of dolphins
Legendary gymnast Simone Biles discusses the seemingly impossible abilities of gymnasts and ballerinas, including her own record-breaking triple double. The podcast also explores the self-awareness of dolphins and whales and the intricacies of their language, as well as the complex game of Go with more possible moves than there are atoms in the universe.
Dec 29, 2023 • 30min
Best of 2023, part 2: India lands on the moon; the orca uprising; birds make use of anti-bird spikes
In this podcast, the hosts discuss the most interesting science stories of 2023, including the successful moon landing by India, the rise of orca attacks on boats, and the unique bird nests made of anti-bird spikes. They also touch on topics such as the discovery of natural graphene, the end of the global health emergency for COVID-19, and the cooperation between dolphins and fishermen. Additionally, they explore the properties of hagfish slime and reflect on the scientific process.
